Who handles sewers in Tucson, the city or Pima County?
Pima County. Its Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department provides sanitary sewer service to nearly all of the metropolitan Tucson area, while Tucson Water supplies drinking water. For a backup, the county is the public side you contact.
The private pipe from your building to the public sewer is the owner's, and the county's sewer pages include guidance on locating a cleanout and on repairing a damaged connection. If you are unsure whether a stoppage sits on your side, a plumber or drain professional can run a camera from the cleanout to find out. Sewer line jetting clears the private line. Call now and book your service.
Why do Tucson's older neighborhoods need extra care?
Because much of central Tucson was built long before plastic pipe. Sam Hughes, Armory Park, Barrio Viejo and Dunbar Spring include homes from the early 1900s onward, with clay or cast iron lines and mature trees.
Those pipes crack at joints, and roots find the openings. Newer areas such as Rita Ranch, Vail and the Catalina Foothills have plastic pipe, where grease and wipes can be the issue. A camera inspection shows which situation you have, which is worth knowing before a house purchase in the older core.
Who maintains which part of the line in Tucson?
Pima County runs the public sewer and the owner keeps the private pipe clear. The table shows the split.
| Piece of the system | Responsible party | Practical meaning for a backup |
|---|---|---|
| Public sewer mains and treatment | Pima County Regional Wastewater Reclamation | Report main problems to the county |
| Private pipe from the building to the public sewer | Property owner | Owners protect it from roots and grease and arrange cleaning or repair |
| Water service line from the meter to the home | Property owner, per Tucson Water | Part of the water side, not the sewer side |
What causes sewer clogs in Tucson?
Grease, wipes and roots. EPA's inspection manual lists grease and tree roots among the primary causes of sewer blockages. Tucson's mesquite, palo verde and landscape trees can send roots toward moisture in a line.
Student and rental housing near the university add steady use, and restaurants add grease. Tree root removal clears roots, and commercial grease line jetting serves kitchens on Fourth Avenue and Congress Street.
Hydro jetting services in Tucson
All seven hydro jetting services can be booked in Tucson, for homes, student housing, restaurants and businesses.
- Sewer line jetting for the private line from the cleanout to the public sewer
- Sewer camera inspection for older central Tucson homes and home purchases
- Tree root removal for roots from mesquite and landscape trees
- Drain jetting for kitchen and laundry lines in rentals
- Commercial grease line jetting for restaurants on Fourth Avenue, Congress and Speedway
- Sewer backup help for toilets and floor drains that are overflowing
- Storm drain jetting for lots and wash-side drains during monsoon season
Neighborhoods and nearby cities
Calls come from across Tucson, including Sam Hughes, Armory Park, Barrio Viejo, Dunbar Spring, Fort Lowell, the Catalina Foothills, Rita Ranch, Rincon and the Tucson Mountains area.
Tucson sits far from other local pages, so the best place to see every city we cover is the Arizona page. Nearby, hydro jetting in Gilbert, Chandler and Mesa have their own pages. Help is also available in Oro Valley, Marana, Sahuarita, South Tucson, Green Valley and Vail.